Sunday, September 21, 2008

If you're a completist (And why wouldn't you be?) you'd want to start here with the arrivals.

8:04 So far it's a dud. (Tough audience right? It's only 4 minutes in) A "holy crap" filled montage of famous TV lines said by famous TV people who didn't originally say them. Followed by Oprah's bizarre affected accent (I so wish she and Madonna would duet). Now it's the hosts of reality shows doing a long "bit" which they claim is not a "bit" at all. LIES. it's all lies.8:07 Still, I thank them for showing me Heidi Klum in a tux. It's a look she hasn't worked in Project Runway. Why do beautiful women look so sexy in suits?8:08 Never mind.

Supporting Actor, Comedy: Jeremy Piven Entourage.Funny, yes. But Emmy, Emmy, Emmy... do the same people really need to win each year. Three years in a row? Spread the wealth baby. Neil Patrick Harris! We wanted to see him lay one on his boyfriend. Academies are always so stingy.

Supporting Actress, Comedy: Jean Smart in Samantha Who?A good performance but even when they don't repeat (it's the first season) they repeat (like Piven, it's her third win). This Academy is so habitual. They're like chain smokers who can't veer from their favorite brands. But more importantly: Julia Louis Dreyfus dress is hideous. Neon orange + cutouts = rarely a good look for humans.

Supporting Actor, Drama:Zeljko Ivanek in DamagesThe first time I saw this actor perform was in Mass Appeal (1984) and I was kinda into it and horrified by it at the same time as a young gay boy who didn't know he was that way. So this is his second closet case performance I've seen. I've come to believe that he's an overactor by nature. In fact, though it may be unpopular to say I think everyone on Damages is overdoing it a little bit. It's Overactors Anonymous. I'm not saying the scenery isn't tasty and they shouldn't chew...

8:34 Ricky Gervais is finally bringing a little funny to the show by torturing Steve Carell. 34 minutes in, it was about time. Directing prize the guy who did the Academy Awards. Er, why?8:45 A dig at Katherine Heigl for her comments about the writing on Grey's Anatomy. That doesn't surprise me but I think more actors should speak their mind when the material isn't great. She's probably kind of a bitchy diva but she was right about her character.

Supporting Actress, Drama:Dianne Wiest In TreatmentShe has two EMMYs to go with her two Oscars. [editors note: If TONY is next, she'll be a triple-crowner!] She plays a therapist on this HBO show. I would need less therapy if Academies actually rewarded great actors like her more often.

8:51 Steve Martin. My god I love him. It's probably because when I was a little kid I thought "King Tut" was the funniest thing I'd ever seen. Too bad he hasn't made a good movie in how long?9:02 Josh Groban is having a psychotic breakdown on stage for your, um, enjoyment. He's basically William Shatner Jr. at this point: Complete Fame Whore.

If not Shatner Jr. perhaps Meryl Streep Jr via Mamma Mia!"Look at me being f-u-n-ny!" I say this because I love Meryl and apparently many of you love Josh. Who knew?

9:08 The Lovely Laura Linney™ wins Actress in a TV movie or miniseries. It's frustrating to me that she has to console herself with EMMYs. What about the Oscar?

9:17 The Daily Show with Jon Stewart wins after a weird intro by way of Laugh-In reunion (Lily Tomlin! ringydingy). So... it's a cliche to say it but sometimes cliches are truths. The Daily Show is the only news show I truly trust. He's a modern hero.9:19 Heidi's 6th outfit. Something in leopard. Rrrrowr [*does Thomas Hayden Church Sideways hand gesture* --yes, I'm a little tipsy right now]9:21 Direction of a Comedy goes to Pushing Daisies "Pie-lette" awwww

Too Fey to Function

9:25 Tina Fey wins Best Writing for 30 Rock. I truly enjoy that show but I am a wee bit sad that she probably won't be writing any more movies as funny as Mean Girls while this show is still on.9:28 Oh blessed commercial break.9:31West Wing. It still won't go away! But at least the show is appropriately political tonight. Vote.9:33 Did this guy (some Academy president) just WELCOME me to the show? I've been watching it for 93 minutes now. What the hell?

They either haven't showed Michelle Pfeiffer and her husband yet or I was typing when they did. But they're there. See!9:43 Supporting Actor in a Mini Series Tom Wilkinson in John Adams. It's cleaning up as many predicted when it first premiered.9:45 Um yikes. Cop cars are surrounding my building, a helicopter is lighting up the roof.9:54 Sandra Oh & Patrick Dempsey (who knows from supporting actresses) are here to present Supporting Actress in a MiniSeries. The great Dame Eileen Atkins wins for Cranford.9:56 The cop cars seem to have left this street but the helicopters are still hovering.

9:57 Kathy Griffin and Don Rickles. "Let's read these funny lines they wrote for us"9:58 Reaction shot mystery: Why is Adrian Grenier so extremely beautiful to look at for 2 seconds and entirely boring to look at for more than 3?9:59 Reality Show Competition. 6th consecutive win for Amazzzzzzzzzzzzzzz10:01 Sally Field gives the Best MiniSeries prize to John Adams' producer Tom Hanks. "Have you been a good boy?" Oh, please don't remind me that I have to sit through Forrest Gump again in a few weeks for Best Pictures From the Outside In. I love Sally but I just can't go there yet. Please and thanks.

10:08 I absolutely love that they've paired The Chenoweth and NPH but they're not going to let them sing. I am aghast. If I could type nothing but heart symbols until this Broadway pair leaves the screen, I would.10:17 House gets Best Director. Mad Men gets Best Writing. Do they split the difference and give Drama Series to a third show?10:23 They've gone back to Mini Series prizes (this night will last forever). Paul Giamatti for John Adams.10:25 Candice Bergen is wearing an outfit that... it's just. No.

Best Actor, Comedy:Alec Baldwin, 30 RockYES.Best Actress, Drama:Glenn Close, DamagesThere you go bitches. I know so many of you wanted it. My heart was with the unnominated Mary McDonnell [sniffle]. Great speech from Glenn. Shout out to mature sexy complicated women. This category is indeed proof that they can carry shows ("...AND MOVIES!" Nathaniel shouts)

10:30 In Memoriam. [double sniffle]

I kinda really hate that awards shows always end up running out of time. Because what happens is that the "big" winners always get stiffed in terms of attention and time of speeches and "bits" etcetera. Grrr

10:44 More Host humor. If Heidi Klum doesn't win this I am going to throw something at the television.10:50 Best Host goes to Jeff Probst of Survivor fame. That's still on? Haven't they exhausted all the remote islands by now? I threw a piece of popcorn at the screen. I missed. Or maybe it was lodge inside his dimples, hidden from view. I'm pissed for Heidi but when you've got perfect bone structure, designers at your beck and call, Seal, endless money and a hit show, well, she probably doesn't care too much.10:53 Betty White. She makes me smile.

Best Comedy:30 Rock / Best Drama: Mad MenTwo very deserving sometimes brilliant shows so even if the rest of their choices were uninspired at least they let the top prizes slip into good hands.

88 comments:

Why again is Ryan Seacrest hosting this year? Did the Emmy producers not watch last year? Bring back Conan or Ellen or Jon Stewart-are they all shooting for an Oscars hosting gig? Is that why they all turned it down?

you know what's weird about Ryan Seacrests career. Everyone is paying him millions and they don't even get exclusives. Isn't it bizarre? He's still free to do all this stuff on other networks and yet millions.

i don't really get what the people paying him are getting for their money?

Seriously, though. That show jumped the shark the second Flicka accepted her Emmy. After all, that's what made the writers plague Lynette with every affliction imaginable--cancer, pedophilia, bastard children, natural disasters, and that unforgettable supermarket holdup.

I used to be such a huge fan, but methinks it's time to put them all to bed.

Shawn -- it was kind of funny in concept, I'll give it that. It had its moments. I just think he's totally Shatner Jr. He's constantly joking about his image. to the point where what is his image rather than a joke?

i totally see it as Shatner-esque.

Hayden i totally agree. though I might tune in to see how they handle that 5 year jump. What has Battlestar wrought? Or maybe this is more of a ROSEANNE's lottery win thing.

Don't hate on the Housewives. Season four was fantastic, nearly as good as the first season when everyone fell in love with it. Even when it's as batshit crazy as season three, I will defend that show with my life. On what other show on TV right now are five 40-something actresses given characters as sharply written and comedic without resorting to lame slapstick (95% of the time, anyways)?

Anyone know why they awarded Lead Actress in a Miniseries before Supporting-not to downplay Supporting Actresses (they're just as essential, imho), but it's not typical for them to get to go second at an awards show.

You know, they should have a special award for best entertainment blog. Honestly, I (and many people) get most of my information about tv shows (reviews, pictures, etc.) from blogs. If they give awards for reality television, why not recognize an outstanding blogger/writer.

that's so funny John I was JUST trying to explain to The Boyfriend the basic rule of supporting actor/actress comedy wins at the EMMYs. Once you win one, you're good for at least 3. It's just hard to win that first one. After that they'll totally fuck everyone else over just to burden your shelf with more gold.

they. are. weird.

oh and thanks for the sentiment but i don't even get nominated at the Bloggies ;) ha ha so I don't really dream of EMMYs

Awards shows (from the MTV Video Music Awards to the Emmys) all seem dated to me. It's like they're stuck in the early 90s or something. Even CNN gives their reporters and anchors new technology to play with (e.g., John King and his magic monitor; and Rick Sanchez won't shut up about his twitter and facebook accounts). It's the 21st century, people. How about a little innovation?

Anybody else remember Heath Ledger in the series ROAR? That was the first time I had ever seen him. Maybe it was too long ago (and it was a summer series), so that might explain why he wasn't mentioned IN MEMORIAM.

Jeff Probst is actually quite a deserving winner. And I like Survivor, and don't get the bashing.

As for the rest, really - I've seen nothing from this year outside of Pushing Daisies (which I love), Weeds (interesting and Parker is sensational as always) and Flight of the Conchords (an absurdist gem).

Okay, it was a bad show in terms of a show, but in terms of giving awards to people who aren't ridiculously undeserving, it was maybe the best Emmys I've seen in my lifetime. Mad Men, 30 Rock, Tina Fey, Baldwin, Weist, Ivanek, and Laura Linney were all the best in their category. Jean Smart, Glenn Close, and Bryan Cranson are no slouches either. I'm kind of shocked by how well it turned out, winners-wise.

Chris: Yes. My friends and I watch it all the time. And while I wanted Project Runway to win, Amazing Race is still every bit amazing. Plus it makes up for the egregious snub of Phil Keoghan for Best Reality Host.

can someone explain to me what the hosts add to these shows though. I get it in the case of Heidi Klum... she's actually doing something more than introducing a challenge.

I'm not sure what the other hosts are contributing exactly other than to say their catchphrases or tell people they've lost?

I've seen AMAZING RACE quite a few times and in no way shape or form could i be convinced that it's a higher quality show than Project Runway or Top Chef (though it is better than AI which is just stale stale stale) and that's just two of its peers .

I don't get it.

and Joe you actually think that Tina Fey is a better lead actress on 30 Rock than Mary Louise Parker on Weeds? say it aint so. You're the MLP champion?

Nathaniel, don't hate me or anything, but I think Heidi Klum might have been the second-least deserving nominee in her category. Yes, she's gorgeous and awesome as a person, but she introduces the challenge, goes away, repeats her spiel, says "auf wiedershen," and that's it. At least with Bergeron and Seacrest, they're kind of operating these three-ring-circus live TV shows. I hate Ryan Seacrest, but I have to admit he does his job reasonably well.

As for MLP, you know I love her, but a) it's hard to compare Weeds and 30 Rock because while they're both comedies, they couldn't be father apart in terms of tone. There's a degree of apples/oranges to it. But while I thought Weeds Season 3 was kind of stuck in neutral for most of those episodes, 30 Rock Season 2 improved, and Tina Fey's comedic acting grew by a leap and a bound. So...yeah, Fey over MLP.

Phylicia Rashad should have won her category. It was "John Adams" rote voting all damn night long. And the one category it actually should have won for (directing), it lost out to "Recount". It's ridiculous how idiosyncratic the Emmys are. Reward a first-timer for an awesome performance (Zeljko Ivanek!), and then hand third Emmys to Jeremy Piven, Laura Linney, and Jean Smart, and SIXTH CONSECUTIVE EMMYS to "The Daily Show" and the boring as all get out "The Amazing Race". It's hard out her for an Emmy fan who actually watches television, b/c these voters routinely don't, and are wholly satisfied with honoring their mediocre favorites year after year after year with few exceptions.

But not to be a total Debbie Downer, the wins for Bryan Cranston, Glenn Close, "Mad Men", "30 Rock", "The Colbert Report", and LA TINA FEY were awesomeness.

*Glenn Close and Zeljko Ivanek's Win: Damages is one of my favorite series in TV and both deserves the award. Ivanek was awfully underrated in Golden Globes in terms of the famous Danson, who in my opinion Ivanek gives a better performance.

*Mad Men and 30 Rock: Two excellent shows who deserves the EMMYS. Also for Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin

*Eileen Atkins: YAH!!

*The End of Boston Legal Legacy? I hope So... Excellent surprise from Cranston, finnally after three prior nomination for "Malcolm in the Middle"

Many of the winners deserves the award in major or minor degree.

*No Seacrest for EMMYS: YAHHHH!!!!

Good but:

*Laura Linney: I love Linney and her performance is good in John Adams but I'm sorry I prefer Keener or Rashad.

*Jeremy Piven: I know he's funny but when Neil Patrick Harris? He deserved more that EMMY. Oh well, maybe is true that EMMY voters LOVE Entourage!.

*Jean Smart: Only because Vanessa Williams and Amy Poehler lost to her.

Bad:

*WHERE'S HEATH LEDGER? I know it was a long time ago and it was a Fox serie but he was in Roar... F***!!!

*The Amazing Race again???!!! It's the only reality show nominated or waht?